29 // Birthday Celebrations + Fourth of July 2019

Hello Friends! I hope that you had a lovely fourth of July and weekend! I wanted to share a little bit about my birthday and the fourth!

Why my Birthday & The Fourth are Complicated (aka making new traditions):

My whole life until my parents moved to Arizona we had a cookout for the fourth with family that was also my birthday party, and often my aunt's as well. It was so nice to have everyone together, to share meals, and to set off fireworks. (the city where I grew up doesn't have any restrictions about setting off fireworks within city limits.) Once they moved, KC and I spent a few years traveling for my birthday, and every year I ended up feeling really sad and missing how things used to be. KC's family doesn't really have any traditions for the holiday, so we didn't have an easy replacement for the old traditions. This was the first year in a long time where I didn't feel sad because that tradition no longer happens. It was so so nice, and such a relief. Overall I had a much nicer birthday and holiday than I've had in a really long time. A big big big part of that is KC, his patience, and his planning. It also feels like it was meant to be that our new home happens to have a great view of the city fireworks, and a big enough yard to hang out in. Especially for a girl who grew up thinking the fireworks were for her birthday, and not America's. ;) I felt like we were creating a new tradition and

Here we go!

My Birthday!

This year I turned 29, and KC really spoiled me. We had breakfast at home and he gave me gifts to unwrap before we headed out to a few bookstores, the mall (obviously had a pretzel), and then went to Papersource before getting tapas for happy hour. It was a fun day to spend together doing fairly normal things that I enjoy. It was nice just to be together without any obligations or worries.

 

The Fourth!

On the fourth we had people over for a cookout/potluck/my birthday party. Our house has a really good view of the city fireworks. We had a lot of fun eating, chatting, watching fireworks, and making sparkler art. I was so grateful to everyone who wished me happy birthday! Our sweet neighbor even came over and had a vegetarian only grill for our veggie guests. He grilled the best sweet corn and brought over homemade herb compound butters. So spoiled by his generosity!

Family Dinner:

Then on Saturday we went to visit my mom and grandma. She made hot dogs and mac and cheese which we never have anymore, but was a treat for us growing up. My sister and nephew came and we looked at old pictures which was such a blast from the past. These photos of KC and Darrick kill me. Too cute.

What about you guys?

Do you have any fourth of July or birthday traditions?

I'm really enjoying making new ones. :) 

XO,

Alexandra

Fourth of July, 2014!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! 

My birthday is the 3rd, so every year we go to my family's house for a cookout and to set off fireworks where it's legal, as well as celebrate my birthday.

On our way to see my family this year we saw a dog running across the sidewalk near the highway without any people around. I had posted something on facebook earlier that morning about thinking about pets on the 4th, (more get lost then than any other day!), but never expected to need to use that information. We followed the dog, tracked her down and eventually got a hold of her owner. I was so glad that we were able to help her get home! For more information on summer pet safety click here.

Here are the pictures from this year, and one video of a rogue firework caught in slow motion.

Actually from a few weeks ago, but I had to include it!

Vintage sheet music I've been holding onto.

Vintage Jewelry for the day!

All my parent's kids. Olivia is actually smiling!!

Jess is adorable.

Enjoying the nice weather (rare!).

Dad and Kalor.

Olivia's pinwheel.

Dad roasting marshmallows.

Sisters. Finally got one with Olivia smiling, sheer joy right there. :)

Just me and Jess.

Aftermath of the daytime Fireworks.

It's finally dark!

We love fireworks, and generally aren't too afraid of them, but every once in a while... one gets away. I happened to be taking a slow motion video at the time.. good catch! Luckily, it didn't actually hit anyone!

Crazy huh?!

I hope that you all had a lovely holiday and are having a great summer so far! Excited to catch up with you guys and post more of what we've been up to!

Thank You for Reading!

Alexandra

23: Birthday Festivities!

Another year has passed. I can't believe how quickly it went! But I have to say that my 22nd year was a very good one. If the beginning of 23 is any indication, it will be an even better year! 

Here's what we did!

The night before my birthday Kyle took me out to get Panda Express and see a movie at the Legends in KC. We saw The Heat and it was pretty funny. Much less raunchy and profane than the last few movies we thought would be funny. Still had a TON of profanity, but at least there was more of my kind of humor to balance it out. Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock are great together! :)

Kyle made me this whale card, because I love whales more than pretty much everything in the world. How cute is it?!?!

Then I gave myself a birthday mani. I wanted dark shimmery polish so I used a burgundy and a golden/silvery polish as well (all random, sorry you won't be able to find it in the stores!) I used Lauren Conrad's book Beauty, to learn the half moon technique. I think it turned out ok. I would like to try with some lighter colors sometime soon as well!

On my birthday Kyle and I both took off work and started the day with breakfast at Milton's which is now open again! :) I missed their veggie hash so much! A perfect way to start the day!

After that Kyle and I played games and spent time together before he sent me off with Juliet. We went to Kansas City and stopped in to Birdies for a little shopping! I love these boxes!

When we'd finished shopping we headed to Glace, Christopher Elbow's ice cream shop! The ladies in Birdies said that we could use some celebration ice cream. I had been wanting to go to his ice cream shop for a while, but never really knew where it was, so this was perfect!

I sampled several flavors, but I ended up getting cherry almond and Broadway Roasting Co. Coffee. I will note that the Blackberry Chocolate Flake was also amazing! It was really hard to decide! Both flavors that I got were so tasty! It put our favorite local ice cream shop to shame. Run don't walk to Glace. You will be in heaven! 

That night Kyle surprised me by inviting over a bunch of people for a game night. He made s'mores pie and a seven layer dip and I got to see so many faces that I didn't expect to! I don't have any pictures, but it's worth mentioning! Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special! And thank you to Kyle, who planned it all and kept it a secret! You are the best husband ever!

On the 4th we went to my family's house for our annual b-day/independence day celebration! My mom, sisters and Kalor surprised me with a sign that they hung on the wall saying "Happy Birthday Alex!" It was so fun! 

We also had a yummy cookout dinner. Olivia helped Kyle and I make fruit kebabs which was fun. After that my extended family joined us for dinner and fireworks. We had some pretty good ones this year, but a few tipped over for the first time ever! Scary! We had cake and everyone surprised me by popping those streamer poppers when I blew out the candles!

I got a lot of fun little presents from friends and family. I'm excited to move them into our new apartment, NEXT WEEK!

The next day Kyle and I hit the mall for a little bit. I found some cute t-shirts at Aerie and a fun infinity scarf. 

How did you spend the 4th?

All for now,

Alexandra